Apply for a Grant

WCCF Community Grants are intended to support ongoing and changing community needs in Waukesha County. Grants are awarded after extensive review and evaluation by the Foundation’s Grants Review Committee.

Grant Criteria

Applicants will need to submit evidence of 501(c)3 status and a non-discrimination policy.

Grants will not be repeated for the same organization in consecutive years.

Community Grants support the following broad program areas:

  • Arts & Culture
  • Health & Human Services
  • Community Development
  • Education
  • Environment & Conservation
  • Historical Preservation

Additional Field of Interest Funds are available for:

  • Literacy
  • Mental Health
  • Suicide Prevention
  • LGBTQ+ Causes

In general, Community Grants do not support:

  • Direct Grants to Individuals (including individual scholarships)
  • Religious Programs
  • Lobbying/Political Purposes
  • Event Sponsorships
  • Capital Campaigns
  • Government Entities
  • Pass-Through Funding

Application cycle & process

  1. The annual Community Grants Cycle opens in early July.
  2. Applicants must create an online account and submit a Letter of Intent by the determined deadline.
  3. If invited by the Grants Review Committee, applicants will need to complete a full proposal by the deadline in October.

Click here for more details about the Community Grants Process.

Ready to apply?

Apply online now

Questions?

Rachel Bennett

For questions, please contact Rachel Bennett, Grants Manager, at rbennett@waukeshafoundation.org or 262-513-1861.

2022 Grants

2022 Grants Awarded

A High Standard for Community Foundations

The National Standards program was established to ensure the values of community foundations are demonstrated through their commitment to legal compliance, philanthropic best practices and excellence that benefits communities. It builds capacity to carry out missions and it makes community foundations distinctive from other types of organizations.